With the French in N.Z., in 1772

Press, 25 January 1986, Page 20

With the French in N.Z., in 1772

Extracts from journals relating to the visit to New Zealand in May-July 1772 of the French ships Mascarin and Marquis do Castries under the command of M. J. Marion du Fresno. Transcription and translation by Isabel Ollivier. Appendix of charts and drawings compiled by Jeremy Spencer. Alexander Turnbull Library Endowment Trust with Indosuox N.Z. Ltd, Wellington, 1985. 404 pp. $4O. (Reviewed by Angus Ross) The somewhat lengthy title of this book indicates clearly the nature of its content. Although, as Isabel Ollivier points out in her very useful introduction, “Marion du Fresne's journal has not yet been located,” five other officers kept journals which have been used to provide the bulk of the text. Julien Crozet, who commanded the ship Mascarin in the later stages of the voyage, has his brief summary account published here. The youthful Du Clesmeur (he was only 22 but owed his high office to being an aristocrat, a matter of some importance in pre-revolution France) commanded the Marquis de Castries and, after the death of Marion du Fresne, the whole expedition. He kept two journals, one historical and the other navigational. Naturally enough, the former with its frank discussions of Marion’s attitudes and actions will have the greater Interest for general readers. Jean Roux, ensign on board the Mascarin, and de Montesson, ensign and clerk on the same ship, both kept log-books. So did Le Dez, first

lieutenant on the Marquis de Castries. All these journals have been used in this book, as has a well-informed comment by the French hydrographer, D’Apres de Mannevillette. Since all these records covered the same period and events, there is naturally enough a certain amount of repetition, but it is also Interesting to have differing accounts of Maori life and customs. Although, like many books of documents, this volume will appeal most to scholars interested in eighteenth-century Pacific history, it has many passages which will make fascinating reading for the casual or general reader. For example, the varying attempts to explain the changes in attitude of the Maoris, culminating in the death of Marion du Fresne, and 24 of his men, give us to understand that it is easy to accept a simple, straightforward account and overlook important, if more complex, factors. All agree that the murder was premeditated and well planned. But D’Apres de Mannevillette is apparently certain that the Maoris were “only waiting for a favourable opportunity to avenge themselves” for the losses they had suffered at French hands during de Surville’s visit two and a half years earlier. Le Dez thought that “self-interest” on the part of the Maoris led to thefts which, in turn, led on to more serious incidents, culminating in the plot to murder the French leader. The other writers mention such events as the seizing and binding of a chief, which may have called for

revenge. Isabel Ollivier, the scrupulously careful editor, does not plump for any one theory, although she points out that the kidnapping of a chief, which may well have been a factor in the death of Marion du Fresne, “seemed a very plausible explanation to the French who were forced to rely on accounts of the voyage that made their way to Paris.” While this book is called the second of the “Early Eyewitness Accounts of Maori Life,” and has its very real importance in this connection, it must be pointed out that the writers were more concerned with French activities than with a careful study of Maori life and culture. Nevertheless, we are given detailed descriptions of Maori men and women, of Maori villages and fortifications, canoes and carving, weapons and the like. ■ Thus, “among the canoes there was one which was very handsome — at each end it had a piece of wood standing upright, with very fine openwork carving in the shape of a palm and decorated with birds’ feathers.” Probably only a Frenchman would have said of the Maori women, “They have rather shapely breasts and both inspire and enjoy the pleasure which shines in their lascivious eyes.” Expertly transcribed and translated, as well as edited, by Isabel Ollivier, these documents, given in both French and English, were well worth publishing. All interested in the early history of New Zealand will continue to owe a debt of gratitude to the trustees of the national library for making such valuable first-hand accounts available in published form.